With less than 48 hours transfer window would be closed, several strikers have been linked with Liverpool to strengthen his squad for this season EPL competition. Roy Hodgson has identified a number of positions to be established that the attack and defense left. Last season was the most disappointing season for Fernando Torres and Liverpool. Without Torres, Liverpool’s like toothless in front of goal. The absence of players who can replace him in the attack was the cause of the lack of scoring goals at Liverpool last season.

David Ngog failed to stand out after only able to score five goals in the competition last season. Besides Ngog, Liverpool did not have another strikers. Dirk Kuyt has been comfortable playing right wing position although it is not his preferred position. While Ryan Babel is also often played at left wing, and rarely given the opportunity to play. This situation makes Hodgson try to sign stikers to fill the gap if Torres injured or suspended. Four players was rumored will join Liverpool in less than 48 hours.

Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Portuguese midfielder Raul Meireles – but how much do you know about our newest recruit?

Raul Jose Trindade Meireles was born in Porto on March 17, 1983. He shares his birthday with American actor Rob Lowe and women’s football superstar Mia Hamm.

Meireles was one of Portugal’s star performers in their four matches at the 2010 World Cup finals. He played 329 minutes in total out in South Africa and covered a distance of 41.49km, reaching a top speed of 25.99 km/h.

As well as playing in all four matches at the tournament, he started each and every one of their 12 games in qualifying and scored a crucial goal in the play-off tie with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Meireles won his first international cap in November 2006 against Kazakhstan, while his first goal for his nation came in a Euro 2008 clash with Turkey.

A star of Portugal’s World Cup 2010 campaign, Liverpool new-boy Raul Meireles is regarded by many as one of the finest all-round midfielders in Europe. Meireles shot to prominence as he helped his country to glory in the UEFA European U16 Championships in 2000, while at club level, he impressed sufficiently at CD Aves to secure a move to Boavista.

He spent just one term at the Estadio do Bessa before Portuguese superpowers FC Porto came calling for his services in 2004. After overcoming a difficult start to life at his hometown club, in which he was utilised in an unfamiliar left-back role, 2005-06 saw Meireles establish himself as a regular in his more natural central midfield position.

Liverpool are reportedly preparing an £8 million bid for FC Utrecht striker Ricky van Wolfswinkel. The 21-year-old forward has been earning rave reviews after bursting onto the scene in the Eredivisie, with new Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson sending scouts to watch the youngster against Willem II last weekend. Reports returned to the Reds boss were thought to be glowing, a point emphasised by Van Wolfswinkel’s Europa League qualifying round hat-trick against Celtic on Wednesday night. Ironically, Utrecht have been drawn against the Anfield club in the group stages of the competition.

Already a senior international for Holland, Van Wolfswinkel made his Dutch league debut for Vitesse in 2008. After one season at the GelreDome, the striker announced his move to Utrecht and signed a three-year contract with Utreg.

Liverpool sign Porto midfielder Raul Meireles in a £10.7 million deal to replace Javier Mascherano. According to the guardian, the deal should be finalised over the weekend subject to a medical which would bring the 27-year-old to Anfield. The Portuguese international, who impressed during the 2010 World Cup, is said to have agreed personal teams with Liverpool and is set to take over Mascherano’s position after the Argentine completed a reported £20 million move to Barcelona.

Meireles has been heavily linked with a possible move to Anfield rivals Manchester United, however the Old Trafford owners have a policy stating a player aged 26 or over should not be bought if they have a substantial price tag. Porto have been looking to sell Meireles as the midfielder has one year left on his contract and the Portuguese side would rather him not become a free agent.